Ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez: I’m waiting for the ‘right offer’

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez admits he has had offers to return to management but the Spaniard is waiting for the right “challenge”.

The 52-year-old is yet to take charge of a club after being sacked by Internazionale in December 2010.

Benítez, who guided Liverpool to the Champions League title and FA Cup crown during a six-year spell at Anfield, was linked with Sampdoria earlier this summer.

But the former Valencia manager turned down the Serie A outfit’s advances, with Benítez holding out for a club that can compete for the trophies on a regular basis.

“I want to come back as soon as possible. But it doesn’t depend on me. I need a challenge,” Benítez told Irish radio station TodayFM.

“I have had some offers. People say, ‘Oh Rafa, you’re not getting a job’, but it’s not true.

“We had offers, but it has to be the right offer. You want to win trophies and challenge for trophies. It has to be a top side if possible. If not, we will see.”

He added: “One was very clear, it was from Sampdoria this year. It was a three-year project, they are really good and really professional, but they can’t compete against the top sides.

“But I said we cannot compete against the top sides, and when you’ve won the top trophies, you want to be able to compete.”

Benítez also revealed his disappointment at missing out on Premier League title in 2008-09 campaign after the Spanish coach guided Liverpool to a second-place finish, just four points behind Manchester United.

“I’m always disappointed if you can’t win games,” he added. “So imagine the Premier League. I won the Spanish league [with Valencia] and that was really good.

“We were very close and it was a pity after everything we were achieving.”

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